Gospel Reflections Feast of the Epiphany
I have a few questions…
…I would like to know why some people get sick while others stay healthy, how the universe and human life evolved, how love can last, how to improve politics, and even about peace in the Middle East.
Maybe you have questions as well. Sometimes answers are obvious but at times you might struggle to find solutions. Where can you look for wisdom?
Today’s Gospel tells the story of the Magi (wise travelers) going to Bethlehem by the light of a star that was itself among millions of other stars. Why did they follow just that special one? While knowledge is knowing a lot of things, true wisdom is knowing just the right thing! They were wise.
Our faith actually affirms two complimentary sources of wisdom and truth. One source is Revelation, or all the things God said and did in scriptures and tradition. For example, the Angels directly revealed Jesus to the Shepherds. The other source is our accurate Observation of the world around us. The Magi observed a star and recognized its meaning.
That is why there is such a long tradition of the Church’s support for science and faith. Almost all our Catholic faith is based on revelation and observation. The Magi, like good scientists and theologians, observed signs in the sky that announced the plan of God and they followed just the right star that brought them to the right place.
That is why the Catholic Church also has a long tradition of starting schools all over the world, and even the very first universities. We use both faith and reason to find God’s wisdom for our life.
On the weekend of January 19th, we will distribute the 2020 University Series Catalogs to the Ventura County and Whittier areas in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. This large adult education program during the season of Lent, will offer over 150 sessions across 17 parishes on topics that include Faith & Current Events, Marriage & Family, Faith & Science, Scripture, Modern Moral Issues, and even Biblical Archaeology. Every session is meant to connect faith with your life in a practical way. Sessions will begin on February 27th, the day after Ash Wednesday.
Wherever you are, make plans now to set aside this time in Lent for helpful and practical learning in your Catholic faith.
The Magi in today’s Gospel correctly observed the signs of God’s plan and travelled to the source of wisdom for all their questions in Bethlehem. Perhaps that is why they are still called “Wise.” Make this wisdom your goal during this coming season of Lent.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
It seems that the wisdom of the wise men also included seeing Herod as the devious bad guy he was. Herod told them lies in order to get them to cooperate in his evil ways. But they saw through his lies and chose the right path.
Times haven’t changed much. There are still evil persons in the world. Lord, give us the wisdom to see through lies in our modern world. The University Series will help us.
Yes, I agree that the Wise men showed their wisdom in recognizing the bad character of Herod. Thank you for mentioning the University Series coming soon!
Dear Fr Dave
Thank you for your words of wisdom and Love.
It is very comforting to read your interesting analysis and spiritual insight.
I feel blessed to be giving the opportunity to follow your weekly sermons.
Happy New Year – Father Dave
Dear Fr Dave
Thank you for your words of wisdom and Love.
It is very comforting to read your interesting analysis and spiritual insight.
I feel blessed to be giving the opportunity to follow your weekly sermons.
Happy New Year – Father Dave
I am honored by your kin words. Thank you!
People ask me the secret of staying married for 63 years . A common Faith helps and a sense of Love and Care, but mostly it is just Two Words;” YES DEAR”.
Critter Tom Joyce
That is why you are called wise!
We are thrilled to host a few sessions at Our Lady of Grace for the very first time! God willing we will be able to host a longer suite of classes to provide opportunities to touch both heart AND mind!
That is what brought this molecular biologist/raised Hindu woman to the Catholic faith! Nothing good is impossible if we collaborate with the Holy Spirit!
The value of both tradition & scripture in deepening our faith individually & collectively as the body of Christ is priceless. May we learn from the wisdom of those we read & hear about, specially via Scripture!
Welcome Our Lady of Grace parish to the University Series! I hope it will be a great start of a long relationship. Thank you for sharing your own journey here as well.
“Connecting Faith with Real Life” is what you do so well, Father Dave , in your homilies and your articles and in your University Series. We at St. Bruno’s are very fortunate that you are our pastor.
Thank you and God bless you as well.
Stephanie Toland
Thank you for your very kind words!
A beautiful precious New Year to you Father Dave overflowing with our loving Jesus and our beautiful Blessed Mother’s Divine, amazingly, beautiful, precious Love!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee their loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee and loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you for sharing their love with everyone!!! Your fabulous University Series radiates our God, our Jesus, our Mary’s LOVE and lives are trasnformed!! How beautiful is that!!!Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!! We will be at the University series and hope to see you!!! Let’s all of us touch the world with our Jesus’ LOVE and make it beautiful!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
See you soon in the University Series!
I like your thoughts on how Revelation and Observation go hand in hand to help us
make wise decisions!
It seemed that the Wise Men were seekers…determined to find Jesus.
and as the saying goes..”The wise still seek Him”
Yes, we should all be in that same journey as they were.
Fr. Dave — Your combining religion and science in today’s reading is excellent. Please continue to remind us of the relevance of scientific thought and religious belief. I pray that more scientists will have the courage to speak out about their faith.
Thank you for your comments! Yes, let us pray that more scientists will see the evidence before them about faith.
Dear Father Dave,
Once again, another thought- provoking reflection. Thank you.
When new and sometimes difficult situations arise in my life, I truly believe that my approach to these encounters is molded by my Catholic education, its strength-supporting influence, and prayerful thread of connectivity to God.
In a way, it’s like trying to see the bigger, greater picture. Indeed there really is “more than meets the eye.”
The parable of the mustard seed sits in my soul as a reflection and a way of life.
God bless you.
Kathleen A.
Yes, the Mustard Seed parable is rich with insights. Thanks for mentioning that.